Merritt receives prison sentence for theft

PRINCETON — A Princeton man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in Bureau County Court to the Class 4 felony of theft/subsequent offense.

Cody J. Merritt, 22, entered his guilty plea on July 16 before Associate Circuit Judge C.J. Hollerich. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Merritt was sentenced to serve two and one-half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to pay fines, fees and court costs totaling $457 and to make restitution in the amount of $4,553 within six months of his release from prison. He was given credit for time served since his arrest on May 21.

Merritt was represented in court by Bureau County Public Defender Michael Henneberry. Prosecuting the case was Bureau County First Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Sciuto.

During the months of February and March of 2013, Merritt used his employer’s gas credit card to fuel his own vehicle and those of other persons for return of cash, without the authority of the employer, Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton.

Merritt’s prior felony convictions include possession of a controlled substance and residential burglary, both in LaSalle County.